Tuesday 6 June 2023

Two rings good...











Given that I haven’t gone the mullet route (at least, not since 1989/90 and I’m not admitting to that) with Ursula’s drivetrain, switching to the Maxxis Ikon has meant much more dirt in our diet and more time spent on the Deore’s inner (26tooth) ring-especially exploring green lanes.  

Though not unduly heavy at 714g (about 1.57 lb.) apiece by my scales, they’re a little heavier than the Maxxis cited as 592g (about 1.31 lb.) and present palpably more resistance on tarmac, compared with Kenda Small Block Eight DTC.  


However, it’s worth noting that the Kenda features 120tpi casings and can be run at 80psi, while the Ikon is 65psi tops. These factors mean greater use of the front mech and more frequent shifting generally. No, this is not the precursor to a triple crankset. Aside from anything else, three rings tend to be a chore to keep on song, four seasons round. 

 

Back to the Ikon...Hit firm bridlepath or green lane and the transformation’s instant. Oodles of traction and a very sprightly, magic carpet ride. Our first foray came during the bank holiday weekend when I was less time taxed than usual. I was having a general, 5am meander along deserted lanes, forming some first thoughts about their tarmac manners when 9 miles out, I spotted a fabulous example of green lane and chucked a left.  


A little caution is needed, since these things aren’t always accurately signposted, resulting in a detour through someone’s back garden. This happened to me while putting a cyclo cross bike through its paces at 3am one December day in 2007.  


Hurtling along a gently reclining slope, my euphoric bubble was pricked by the sight of two wheelie bins. A smart about-turn and pacey retreat followed. I was reminded of this some 500 metres along when I happened upon a cottage with cars out front. My gut and some hoof prints told me to carry on 


I laughed and attacked the swooping single track, pleasantly connected to nature and surprised by how well the Ikon bit into softer (but not soggy) surfaces. Since we’re talking tyres and trails, here’s the link to my review of the Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump Topeak Gravel 2 Stage Mini Pump | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

  

Curiously, I’ve managed to wear a hole in the inner right thigh section of these Triban Men’s Road Cycling Bib Tights RC500, which might be a bit of a mouthful, but budget models that I’m particularly fond of. Being a test pair, I’ll have to put it down to experience (otherwise, had I bought them, I could’ve taken the warrantee route).


This photo also served to remind me my legs needed a good shave, especially since it's milder and I’m getting more miles in, on the Teenage Dream. Now, I continue to be impressed by the CST Cito and learned some interesting facts from their UK distributor. Much to my surprise, they’re designed for a maximum payload of 70kilos-which means, me and the operating pressures range from a very modest, mini pump achievable 80, right up to the cited120psi. Was expecting 90-120 if I’m honest but nice to know they can be run a little lower.  


After several weeks reprieve, the rains returned, albeit in passing. This resulted in derv and other light, slippery spillages being flushed from the verges and mixing with bovine dung and similarly slippery organic stuff. I happened to be sweeping into an S bend on the fixed. 

 

There was a momentary loss of traction from the front Maxxis Refuse but sufficient feedback bought me time to get things gracefully under control again. This appears an isolated incident-in more typically showery and rainy contexts, they’ve not missed a beat, allowing me to concentrate on a steady, 90rpm tempo. Again, their sweet spot seems relatively low at 65psi, but they can be run at 50, if conditions dictate.   


Thursday morning at 4am, fuelled by a constant flow of adrenaline. I was midway round the loop when I suddenly became conscious of resistance, spiking a rush of catastrophising, convinced the rear Re Fuse had done the unthinkable. Thankfully it hadn’t but the sense of urgency had me fighting for breath, but my legs felt surprisingly fresh, cranking out 100rpm until I arrived home.  


 Elsewhere, I’ve decided to stock up on KMC Z1X chains- this time with the silver finish. These feature the marque’s EcoProTeQ Coating (EPT) Anti-Rust technology, which also promises smooth and silent running. I’ve found the blue versions perfectly serviceable but lacking in outright refinement. Aside from dependable rubber, chains, and sprockets are not something I’d want to skimp on, when it comes to fixed gear builds, since there’s a lot of loading on these components.  


I’m not suggesting paying boutique prices. I also recognise the value of beveled sprockets for achieving accurate chain lines on conversions. There are other ways round this. Halo Fix G HALO FIX G TRACK HUB | Seven Day Cyclist Tourin Tests Commuting employs spacers to achieve this and I’ve even seen an eccentric bottom bracket, like those employed on tandems. However, I’m highly unlikely to go the eccentric route given I’m happy with the fixed gear winter trainer’s Genetic Tibia GENETIC TIBIA TRACK CRANKS & RING | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and the Holdsworth’s Stronglight Track 2000. 

Wednesday 31 May 2023

Ta da! Trail & Green Lane fun









Having whipped The Maxxis Ikon aboard Ursula’s Ryde/Alfine Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and Sputnik/XT hoops, I took to the backroads, byways, dirt roads and bridlepath and swept myself back in time. Not one I was nostalgic for, rather my construct of the drop bar mountain bike-an all-terrain bike in the literal, purist sense. One conceived while mentally disengaged from an English class in March 1987Lightweight, yet rugged, ones that could be ridden beyond the confines of metalled roads and maddening crowds.  


Whoosh! I’ve always revelled in the ability to hop aboard a well-loved, carefully serviced two-wheeled vehicle and leave the world behind. Even if only for an hour, or two. The intoxicating sense of freedom. Increase the cadence, feel the machine respond to your every effort. With the miles come contemplation, reflection, solutions and clarity-although sometimes I need to write these down before they evaporate in a stream of consciousness.  


Much as I expected, the Ikon deliver a responsive, compliant, and engaging ride over dry hardpack and loose surfaces. Be these trails and bridlepath, or unmade roads. Their rolling resistance is quite palpable over metalled roads and I’m glad I put some precautionary goo in a batch of Schrader tubes, mind.  


Being the base model, there’s no puncture-repelling belt. I didn’t want to take the edge off their speed but wanted some added peace of mind.  Theory behind latex/sealant-filled tubes is that rotational forces plus release of pressure traffics the goo to the affected hole.  


Most work on nicks and holes around 1-1.5mm. The downside is a bigger hole, let alone blowout will result in a sticky encounter by the road/trailside. Time and miles will tell whether, and indeed, what contexts this proves an issue.  


A minor point, but I needed to raise the Mud Hugger Evo by a few millimetres to ensure some very necessary added clearance, coming from The Maxxis Overdrive Excel. However, that’s because I’d used these as the mounting template and wanted a super clean aesthetic. My fault for not factoring in a knobbly first-time round.     


Talking of which, long-term, I’m really impressed by the Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube Motoverde PTFE Chain Lube | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) staying prowess, and economy. Sparing is the word when it comes to application. Ditto 12 hour curing times but both Ursula and fixed gear winter/trainer are still sporting theirs, with no sign of reapplication coming. In contexts which have all but dismissed some middleweight wet blends. 

 

Seems to be doing better than several on the cleanliness front tooTalking of clean, here’s my review of the Weldtite Bike Cleaner Concentrate Weldtite Bike Cleaner Concentrate | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)   


A year and 8,000 all-weather miles down the line, the Souma Leather Handlebar Tape Souma Leather Handlebar Tape | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) is holding out well. I’ve fed it with a decent quality leather food periodically and being a natural fabric, it has relaxed a little, resulting in slight slippage. Predictably, there’s more patina on Ursula’s, given the off-road ventures. On both bikes, I’ve needed to unwind and re-wrap a few times to allow for this and then of course a couple of cable changes but the backing adhesive is high quality, so no issues.   


Regarding contact points, midway through a 4am ride, I became convinced that the fixed’s top tube or stem were growing like Pinacho's nose. Laughably illogical thought but this kind of stuff creeps in however fleetingly. This was simply attributable to a slackening saddle cradle bolt on its Cane Creek Thudbuster ST G3 TESTED: CANE CREEK THUDBUSTER ST SEATPOST (sevendaycyclist.com). Would explain some low-level but intrusive chatter (which I’d originally attributed to a pump, the Lezyne riding shotgun on he down tube, specifically). Talking of down tubes, I’m a fan of the large PET cages-great for lugging big stuff. No wondering where you’re going to park that 1.5-litre bottle of mineral water you bought mid-ride.   

Topeak Modula range has always caught my eye and I’ve always had a particular soft spot for their Modula XL. The rubberised strap holds different diameters of bottlenecks very securely, eliminating chatter, not to mention ejection over rougher surfaces. Minoura made a similarly innovative model, although that’s been discontinued as the market seems to have moved toward multi-purpose models aimed at bike-packing audiences.  


They look similarly well engineered and I wouldn’t mind acquiring one for testing. Minoura makes some nicely engineered solutions- the VC100 camera mount that graced Ursula’s bars for some time being a case in pointBack to Topeak and I find myself similarly endeared to their Modula Java Topeak Modula Java Cage | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)  

Right, time to mix things up a bit- I’m off for some more skinny-tyred fun on the Teenage Dream! John Moss (link) has also been in touch, saying his finished making the calliper mount for a TRP HYRD calliper. Think Ursula will reap those benefits, come the next cable change.